Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
$$The world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, 12km from the CBD
Hand-feed kangaroos, meet over 100 koalas, and watch platypus, birds of prey, and sheepdogs at the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. Established in 1927, Lone Pine sits on 18 hectares of riverside bushland in Fig Tree Pocket, 12km from Brisbane CBD. Open daily 9am to 5pm. Koala encounters (patting and feeding) are available as add-on experiences from $35 and need to be booked in advance.
Step by step
From start to finish, what to expect.
Arrive by 9:30am to catch the morning keeper talks
Hand-feed kangaroos in the open enclosure
Watch the Free Flight Raptor Show (1pm) and Sheep Dog Show (1:30pm)
Visit the platypus exhibit and saltwater crocodile viewing dome
Allow 3-4 hours total
Cost breakdown
Estimated per person, in AUD.
How you get there
Your options for the trip.
Public transport
Drive yourself
Local tips
Stuff your mates would tell you.
Book koala encounters online in advance, they sell out quickly
You can no longer hold koalas at Lone Pine, but you can pat them during encounters
Bus 430 from the CBD stops directly at the sanctuary, the easiest PT option
BYO picnic is allowed and saves money, there are three cafes onsite but they're pricey
Best visited in the morning when animals are most active